Zero net energy system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and a method regulate temperature in a building using an air inlet at a level beneath a space for habitation within the building (e.g., living areas in a residential building, or work areas or offices in a commercial building). The air pulled into the air inlet creates an air flow into the building that is received into a thermal storage plenum, which allows the air flow to mix with a substantial air mass accumulated in the thermal storage plenum. The air in the thermal storage plenum is circulated throughout the space for habitation and recycled back to the thermal storage plenum through, for example, a return duct. Such a return duct may be provided by a stairwell. A relief vent may be provided at a level above the space for habitation for the air flow to exit the building. The quantity of air flowing through the air inlet and the relief vent may be controlled using a control system which open the air inlet and the relief vent simultaneously. The temperature of the air circulated in the space for habitation may be regulated by a roof-mounted heat pump.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application (“Parent Provisional Application”), entitled “Zero Net Energy System and Method,” Ser. No. 61/080,634, filed on Jul. 14, 2008. The Parent Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to energy efficient buildings and structures. In particular, the present invention relates to designing and constructing a building or a structure that operates at a net zero energy input (i.e., the building generates enough energy from passive sources, such that it does not draw additional energy from an active source).

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Much effort has been made to create energy efficient buildings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,973 (the “‘973 Patent”) to Kachadorian discloses providing a thermally insulated concrete slab as part of a building's foundation. By thermal siphon or forced air circulation, air within the building transfer heat to and from the concrete slab. The circulated air therefore provides heat to, or takes away heat from, other parts of the building. A book, entitled “The Passive solar House: Using Solar Design to Heat & Cool Your Home,” by James Kachadorian, discloses additional information regarding this technique.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and a method regulate temperature in a building using an air inlet at a level beneath a space for habitation within the building (e.g., living areas in a residential building, or work areas or offices in a commercial building). The air pulled into the air inlet creates an air flow into the building that is received into a thermal storage plenum, which allows the air flow to mix with a substantial air mass accumulated in the thermal storage plenum. The air in the thermal storage plenum is circulated throughout the space for habitation and recycled back to the thermal storage plenum through, for example, a return duct. Such a return duct may be provided by a stairwell. A relief vent may be provided at a level above the space for habitation for the air flow to exit the building. The quantity of air flowing through the air inlet and the relief vent may be controlled using a control system which open the air inlet and the relief vent simultaneously. The temperature of the air circulated in the space for habitation may be regulated by a roof-mounted heat pump.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a zero net energy system for a building and an associated method provide heating and cooling to a building or pre-manufactured housing unit are achieved using active and passive energy sources, a thermal storage plenum and a control system to achieve net zero energy consumption.

The present invention is better understood upon consideration of the detailed description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a building having an exemplary zero net energy system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a building having an exemplary zero net energy system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a building, such as that assembled from pre-fabricated components, is erected on a foundation. An inlet draws fresh air from the exterior into the building via an intake duct at the ground level (indicated by reference numeral 1). In a space provided near the intake duct, preferably a part of a basement, the incoming air mixes with to air that has circulated within the building (indicated by reference numerals 2 and 3).

A control system determines a quantity of (or none of) the incoming air to be introduced into the main air circulation loop by way of an air handler, as needed (indicated by reference numeral 4). The volume of air pulled in from the outside may be greatly increased when outdoor conditions are favorable to provide cooling to the building at no energy cost. Necessary actuators, such as dampers and vents, are provided to enable mixing of the intake air with the air already in circulation. A relief vent, for example, may be mounted high in the building (e.g., as a skylight over a stairwell) to be simultaneously opened when air is pulled in from the outside. The air handler may include one or more filters, so as to reduce particulates in the circulated air. A coil may be provided to heat or cool the air mixture according to the temperature settings determined in the control system. In one embodiment, the temperature of the coil is regulated by a roof-mounted heat pump. The heat pump may be powered, for example, by electricity from the power grid, or by a solar energy collector system. The control system may include, for example, a thermostatic controller, such as that described in the copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application (“Copending Provisional Patent Application”), entitled “Thermostatic Controller,” Ser. No. 61/160,121, filed on Mar. 13, 2009. The disclosure of the Copending Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As shown also in FIG. 1, the mixed air passes through a thermal storage plenum (indicated by reference numeral 5), which is preferable also part of a basement. The thermal storage plenum is designed to allow a substantial air mass (e.g., 10% or more of the total volume of the building) to accumulate and mix. From the thermal storage plenum, the air is circulated via suitable conduits throughout the house to heat or cool the living spaces (indicated by reference numeral 6). The circulated air is collected via a return duct, preferably located in a stair well, and recycled back to the space at the ground level where the incoming air is mixed (indicated by reference numeral 7).

The above detailed description is provided to illustrate the specific embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. Various modifications and variations within the scope of the present invention are possible. The present invention is set forth in the accompanying claim. 

1. An energy system provided in a building, comprising: space for habitation; an air inlet provided at a level beneath the space for habitation to provide an air flow into the building; a thermal storage plenum receiving the air flow from the air inlet vent to allow a substantial air mass to accumulate and to mix with the air flow; conduits for allowing air in the thermal storage plenum to be circulated throughout the space for habitation; and a return duct provided within the building to allow air in the space for habitation to flow into the thermal storage plenum.
 2. An energy system as in claim 1, further comprising a relief vent provided at a level above the space for habitation for the air flow to exit the building.
 3. An energy system as in claim 2, further comprising actuators for regulating the flow of air through the air inlet and the relief vent, and a control system for driving the actuators such that the air inlet and the relief vent are opened simultaneously.
 4. An energy system as in claim 2, wherein the relief vent is provided in a skylight over a stairwell.
 5. An energy system as in claim 1, wherein the return duct comprises a stair well.
 6. An energy system as in claim 1, further comprising a roof-mounted heat pump for regulating the temperature of the air circulated in the space for habitation.
 7. A method for regulating temperature in a building, comprising: providing an air inlet at a level beneath a space for habitation within the building, so as to create an air flow into the building; receiving the air flow from the air inlet into a thermal storage plenum, the thermal storage plenum allowing a substantial air mass to accumulate and to mix with the air flow; providing conduits for circulating the air in the thermal storage plenum throughout the space for habitation; and recycling air in the space for habitation into the thermal storage plenum.
 8. A method as in claim 7, further comprising providing a relief vent at a level above the space for habitation for the air flow to exit the building.
 9. A method as in claim 8, further comprising regulating the flow of air through the air inlet and the relief vent, using a control system which open the air inlet and the relief vent simultaneously.
 10. A method as in claim 8, wherein the relief vent is provided in a skylight over a stairwell.
 11. A method as in claim 7, wherein the air is recycled through a return duct.
 12. A method as in claim 11, wherein the return duct comprises a stair well.
 13. A method as in claim 7, further comprising regulating the temperature of the air circulated in the space for habitation.
 14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the temperature is regulated using a roof-mounted heat pump. 